tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947583973744225602015-07-30T16:00:14.670-07:00The Game ScoutsVideo Game Reviews,Previews,Trailers,News and more.Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.comBlogger504125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-23856282184392133112015-07-30T16:00:00.002-07:002015-07-30T16:00:14.723-07:00How Social Media Has Revolutionized the World of Gaming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-senHx1A3lUc/VbqsVq4lSoI/AAAAAAAAWC8/JF4zQJcfQ88/s1600/game-of-thrones-social-media.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks to social media, it has never been easier to connect with other gaming enthusiasts from around the world. Better networking has allowed developers to be more in tune with what gamers are really looking for in a game. Gamers can even pre-order games on popular platforms so that the game is automatically downloaded or arrives at their home on the day of release. Here are some more advantages that social media has brought to the world of gaming.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Better Multiplayer Experience</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the past, many people would meet up at locations to play games. LAN parties still exist to some degree and are much easier to arrange due to social media. It is more common for players to meet up on fan forums or Facebook pages. Players can use the event function to arrange times to meet up online and play games together. World of Warcraft and Call of Duty are two examples of popular multiplayer games.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nnlv67msMh0/Vbqsa4HgMUI/AAAAAAAAWDE/tkX2SdLGkic/s1600/mobile-game.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Getting the Message Out</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Developers need to have good ways to let gamers know about games before and after they are released. Social media makes it easy to tell a lot of people at once about releases. Gaming enthusiasts often reshare information, so they are actually helping developers advertise. Developers set up pages on sites such as Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter. These sites provide a forum for fans to inquire about games, stay up to date on the latest gaming developments, review games, and more. Keeping up to date on the latest <a href="http://www.scommerce.com/category/site-review">Social Media News</a> is important when trying to maximize exposure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Less-Expensive Games</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since advertising on social media is so inexpensive, game developers can keep prices lower, so games are more accessible to people on a budget. The lower cost encourages fans to buy more games. It is also proven that if the cost of trying something new is lower, then more people will try it. This means that more people will become gamers if they see it as an affordable hobby.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mobile Games on the Rise</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Console and PC games are popular, but many people are finding out about the pleasures of mobile gaming. There are many people that have a smartphone already, so it is easy for them to try out mobile games such as Angry Birds. Social media plugins allow them to recruit friends to play, announce milestones they have reached in the game, and get regular updates. Mobile games are popular because they can be played almost anywhere, require no extra equipment, and are highly affordable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Setting up a Game Day</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you like to game, you should think about creating your own game day with your friends from around the world. If you haven't played much with others, then now is the time to start. Social media makes it easy to meet new friends and encourages you to set aside some time to do something you love. If you have a good friend that games, you can even set up a tournament.</div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/qrsfkJwDGf4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/07/how-social-media-has-revolutionized.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-34441976814227640112015-07-30T02:55:00.002-07:002015-07-30T02:55:56.667-07:00No Data Left Behind: How to Scrub Personal Data From Your Gaming Console<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z2_pYbyp008/Vbn0nEqyDiI/AAAAAAAAWCs/MzXJ0o5uuiI/s1600/consolebackup.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Video games have come a long way in the quality of their graphics and sound as well as in the amount of personal information needed if you want the full experience. In the early days of arcade gaming, the most personal information you entered was your initials, and that was only if you were good enough to earn a high score. And if the machine lost power, then your initials went with it. If you’ve ever seen the “Frogger” episode of Seinfeld, then you know how far some people are willing to go to preserve their high scores.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But that was before the modern age of hard drive-equipped, Internet-connected video game systems. With the ever-rising popularity of online gaming and pay-to-play downloadable content, modern consoles have become veritable storehouses for your personal data. The good news is that you don’t have to re-enter your credit card number every time you want the latest Mortal Kombat 5 DLC. The bad news is that it can be hard to make that data go away. By following a few easy steps, you can be sure your personal data doesn’t stick around once you’ve moved on to the next generation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Know Where Your Data Is Stored</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the age of cloud-based data storage, it can be difficult to know exactly where Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo are storing your personal information. Is it on the system? Or is it on a server in a secret bunker in the middle of the Nevada desert? Ultimately, it’s best to assume that the information is stored in both places. This means you need to format your console's hard drive and find a way to guarantee that your online information stays secure. You don’t want to delete your online account if you’re going to purchase a newer system, but you definitely want to change your <a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/tips-for-creating-a-strong-password">password</a>. Do this through a device other than your console to help cut the cord between your account and the device. Your console can’t remember something you never told it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Perform a Full Format With Overwrite</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii all have settings devoted to data management and options for completely erasing the hard drive. Before you do this, make sure you back up all of your data with a memory card or <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hard-drives/external-portable-hard-drives/pcmcat186100050005.c?id=pcmcat186100050005">external hard drive</a>. Once that’s complete, be sure to select the option for a full overwrite. A less stringent format is only going to mark your data to be overwritten by new data in the future. A full overwrite takes a lot longer, but it immediately replaces your data with random gibberish so that a savvy data-stealer can’t make any sense of it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a Fail-Safe</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even if you take every precaution, there is always the chance that someone can access your personal information through an old gaming console. If you plan on selling consoles on a regular basis, it can’t hurt to have a <a href="http://www.lifelock.org/">basic LifeLock account</a> to help protect your identity. It’s only 10 bucks a month to be protected from any kind of identity theft — even if your gaming console isn’t to blame. A little peace of mind can go a long way, and it might just help you stay focused when you’re going for a new high score.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article by: <b>Cherie Nelson</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/5hyLCHaSG0Y" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/07/no-data-left-behind-how-to-scrub.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-58083998307194328022015-07-28T15:07:00.000-07:002015-07-28T15:07:01.813-07:00FIFA 16 to Include Women's Teams <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTJWb6RlVuw/Vbf88bUxPmI/AAAAAAAAWCY/8Jxr_omjP1Q/s1600/FIFA16_Women.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After a long, football-less summer, fans can now start relaxing a bit. The boredom of not having any football action for a few weeks may have become pretty unbearable, but it is not long now until the new season starts. Hooray! And with a new season that means a new installment of the massively popular and successful FIFA games.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">FIFA has sold more than 100 million copies. It is the bestselling sports game in history. The reason for this is that it is brilliant. Not only is it brilliant but it keeps getting better and better each year. With improvements on each annual edition, and advancements in technology and graphics, the games have come a long way over time. Nowadays, it is pretty hard to differentiate between the game and real life. To the untrained eye it may look like gamers are actually watching a game of football. OK, maybe that’s going a bit far, but it is still quite realistic.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The reasons why the games have such repeat sales each year is because things that were wrong the years before have been fixed. New features have been added and teams are updated. There are plenty of other additions that the developers make each time. There is also usually a new game mode or something of similar significance. So, what can gamers expect to see for the first time in the new installment?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the massive popularity of the Women’s World Cup this year, FIFA have finally included some <a href="https://www.easports.com/uk/fifa/women">women’s teams in the new game</a>. This is something that has never been done in a football game in the past. Because the women’s game differs massively from the men’s game, extensive research has gone into this new feature to make it feel as accurate and real as possible. The game’s developers have said that, when playing as the women’s teams, gamers will have a completely different feel. There will obviously be technical differences as there are in real life. They say they have wanted to do this for many years but only recently had the technology to create it authentically.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With a couple of months left until the game’s release, gamers should look forward to what else might be in the new game. At the time of writing, <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football">Chelsea are around 6/4 with the bookmakers</a> to win the league again in real life, but that might not be the case in the gaming world!</div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/81sOwFK8cRE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/07/fifa-16-to-include-womens-teams.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-67804252661582953792015-07-23T03:14:00.001-07:002015-07-23T03:14:43.130-07:00Life Skills Learned From Gaming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0oDC-8CArjg/VbC-aw0ab8I/AAAAAAAAWCA/GZ-h1eeRYws/s1600/gamingskills.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Gaming has had a stigma for too long. If you enjoy games, you are branded as a nerd and your hobby is labeled as a waste of time. However, games can teach you the skills you need once you put down the controller. Here are some skills your favorite games have taught you and where you can apply them:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Patience</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Patience isn't only a virtue, it’s a learned skill. A large component of action RPGs center around the grind to become more powerful. The grind describes the boring and long parts of a game where a player might encounter a series of monster fights with no real variation. These can be mentally exhausting and require patience.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This type of gameplay can be compared to the daily grind of work or school and the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2012/dec/04/game-design-virtue-of-patience">patience needed</a> to get through them. Whether it's the long hours required to finished a project on time or cram for a test, all of these activities take patience and perseverance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Memory Retention and Spacial Awareness</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2013, a study about the effects of video games on the adult brain was published by Kurzweil Accelerating Intelligence. In the study, 23 adults played “Super Mario 64” for 30 minutes per day for a month. Another group was asked not to play any video games over that same month. After the month was over, the subjects' brains were examined through MRI scans. Those who played “Super Mario 64” daily showed an increase of gray matter in different parts of the brain (the right hippocampus, right prefrontal cortex and cerebellum). These brain segments are used for spatial navigation, memory retention and formation, strategic planning and fine motor skills.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rise in gray matter has given scientists and doctors hope that video games can be used as <a href="http://www.kurzweilai.net/video-game-playing-found-beneficial-for-the-brain">therapy for people with brain conditions</a> in these areas, such as schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer's.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quick Thinking</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Video games can help you think more strategically, improve your fine motor skills, become more organized and manage resources. All of these necessary skills transfer to the real world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When at a job interview, for example, you need to communicate quickly and effectively. Online games require a fast thought process and concise communication to achieve your goals, just like in a job interview. Games like poker also teach you how to <a href="https://www.onlinecasinobluebook.com/experts-corner/apply-poker-skills-in-life/">impress your opponent to win</a>. You may need to do a semi-bluff to make an impression without completely bluffing. The same is true in interviews when you need to impress your interviewer without lying.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or, if you have your sights set on purchasing a new home, the negotiation skills you learned from betting in poker will come in handy. In many online games, you also learn how to negotiate with other factions by talking and compromising, which can help you connect with your real estate agent and the homeowner.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whether it's board games, video games or betting games, there are life skills to be learned and applied to other areas of your life. Don't completely write them off as a waste of time, but appreciate them for what they can teach you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article by: <b>Cherie Nelson</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/mvLYmsAuHXY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/07/transferable-life-skills-learned-from.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-54862765176647810032015-07-16T01:51:00.002-07:002015-07-16T01:52:00.158-07:00Make Gaming Memories With Your Kids<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y93OsjcOkcA/Vadwem93PTI/AAAAAAAAWBk/zD-JbB3NUEY/s1600/Father_and_Son_Gaming.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just because you’re a father doesn’t mean you have to give up gaming. Gaming is an activity that can bring you closer to your children. Here are some tips for dads to introduce and explore gaming with their kids:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Introductions</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Andy Baio introduced his son to video games chronologically <a href="https://medium.com/message/playing-with-my-son-e5226ff0a7c3">as an experiment</a>. He introduced each console to his son in order they were released. There's a certain charm to the classic titles of yesteryear such as Super Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog and Pac-Man, and while they may not have the replayability of modern games, their simplicity is their charm. Repeat this experiment with your son or daughter, before they're introduced to the complexity of modern games.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Modern Gaming</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Playing through a good RPG is similar to reading a fascinating book or watching a favorite TV show. Even though many RPGs are only one player, the dialogue, cut scenes, and puzzles can be enough to engage multiple people. Discussing battle tactics, hypothesizing over plot points, character development, and the mystery inherent in storytelling, can give you and your child lots to talk about. However, PC gaming offers the choice to play together if both parties have a computer and a copy of the game in question. While some RPGs are made for single players, many have co-op play, so you can share the adventure with your kids and even some of their friends.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Off the Screen</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While playing games can bring you closer together in some ways, it’s important to explore the outside world as well. Video game and comic book conventions like PAX, E3 and Comic-Con can help to bring your interests off the screen and into larger social situations. Designing and making your own costumes for these events can be a fun and creative bonding experience between you and your child, as you take the stories and characters you love and make them come to life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Indie Games</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While large developers still dominate the market place, services like Steam and GOG Galaxy have given a voice and platform for indie games to take root. While there is a discrete formula for what makes a compelling video game, story or no, independent developers now have a platform to explore what makes a game memorable as well as replayable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For instance, the game <a href="http://www.antichamber-game.com/">Antichamber</a> challenges players to think outside the box of what is possible. There is no plot or character; instead, it is a game that challenges perceptions. <a href="http://www.dejobaan.com/elegy/">Elegy For A Dead World</a>, on the other hand, lets you create the plot of your own game, by landing a character on an unknown planet and asking the player to fill in short writing prompts. Games like these ask players to interact on a more cerebral level than conventional games, and if you haven’t tried them, they might be exciting ones to explore with your kids.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article by: <b>Cherie Nelson</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/NJuGjFeLBUA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/07/make-great-gaming-memories-with-your.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-85549180705267935832015-07-10T06:37:00.003-07:002015-07-10T06:39:02.574-07:00Onikira: Demon Killer Official Release Date<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9nVeutC5-_E/VZ_KRIsGACI/AAAAAAAAWBI/SbaewOYqRpM/s1600/Onikira.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm a sucker for old school beat em' ups. I still religiously play games like Double Dragon, Altered Beast, Ninja Turtles and Ninja Gaiden to this day. The indie scene has truly embraced these classics over the years, bringing us gems like Shank and Guacamelee, titles that have breathed new life into the genre. As soon as I saw developer <a href="http://www.digitalfurnacegames.com/">Digital Furnace Games</a>' upcoming <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/310850/">Onikira: Demon Killer</a>, it immediately caught my attention. A fantasy feudal Japan setting where you get to fight demons as a samurai? Sign me up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The game has been in Early Access for a while now, but its official release date has finally been announced: <b>July 30th, 2015</b>. While the Early Access reviews have been somewhat mixed, I'm still feeling relatively optimistic about the official launch. The game's aesthetics are undoubtedly gorgeous, and the overall gameplay style has a lot of potential. But as always, we'll hold off our final verdict until we've had a chance to thoroughly test the final build.&nbsp;</div><br />News by: <b>Tin Salamunic &nbsp;&nbsp;</b></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/xv0SZz0WKrU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/07/onikira-demon-killer-official-release.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-1363314516481831992015-07-07T02:04:00.001-07:002015-07-07T02:08:59.083-07:00The Best Devices for Mobile Gaming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMuUfXLYqto/VZuVsYN5SOI/AAAAAAAAWAg/6S7drSTerNU/s1600/bestmobilegaming01.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you're looking for a mobile gaming device, <a href="https://www.gazelle.com/thehorn/2014/02/12/the-5-best-smartphones-for-mobile-gaming/">there's no shortage of choices</a>. From smartphones to tablets, there are a wide range of devices that make it possible to curl up with a game on the couch, on the bus, or even on the airplane. Of course, with so many options, you may not know where to start.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For every person who knows the features of every tablet and smartphone by heart, there are likely nine more people who view them in the same light as they do refrigerators or washing machines. They seem to all look the same, do the same thing, and cost roughly the same amount. How does one possibly choose in such a situation? If you're among those nine out of 10 people and are looking for a capable mobile gaming device, this article is for you!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">iPhone 6 Plus</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JCt2v0ciUlQ/VZuV_arOErI/AAAAAAAAWAw/vnbQ0f83WI4/s1600/bestmobilegaming02.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even to the uninitiated, the term “iPhone” is likely to be familiar. The iPhone 6 Plus is the latest and greatest version of this most popular of smartphones, and should definitely be in consideration if you're looking for a new mobile device. With a larger screen than ever before, <a href="http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/apple-iphone-6-plus.html">the iPhone 6 Plus finally has the screen “real estate”</a> needed to take on the best Android devices, and carriers such as T-Mobile offer data stash programs so that you can save unused data, which means more gaming! The new Plus is truly a capable and rewarding phone that is made even more attractive by the fact that it enables access to Apple's iTunes store. You can't go wrong with an iPhone – just as the millions upon millions of satisfied users.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">iPad Air 2</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you're looking for all of the features offered in the new iPhone, but find that even the new larger screen is simply too small for your needs, then a tablet is for you. The iPad Air 2 is lighter, slimmer, sleeker, and more powerful than ever before – it is, in effect, the culmination of everything the iPad can and should be (that is of course until the Air 3 comes out). Its larger screen makes it an even better gaming platform than the iPhone, yet it is still small enough to fit in any bag, making it highly portable. With beautiful graphics and a whole host of incredible games available, the iPad is a terrific mobile gaming platform.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Samsung Galaxy Note 4</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Apple isn't the only name in town when it comes to mobile gaming, of course. Some of the <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2014/02/20/which-android-phones-win-at-gaming/">best gaming platforms are Android devices</a>, in fact. The Galaxy Note 4 and its sibling, the S6 Edge (see below) are gaming powerhouses, featuring large screens, impressive graphic processing units (GPUs), and robust processors. The Note is worth mentioning specifically because of its stylus, which is somewhat unique in the smartphone marketplace. The stylus introduces a whole new way of interacting with the device, which makes the phone rewarding to use for gaming, computing, or simple everyday tasks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tn2DcdS2AZM/VZuV3l2rXyI/AAAAAAAAWAo/l5EeO-x-gCQ/s1600/bestmobilegaming03.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Featuring a cutting-edge design, unique screen layout, and advanced mobile processor, the new Galaxy S6 Edge is one of the premier smartphones on the market today. It is fast, powerful, and yes, even beautiful. And thanks to Google Play, the online store for Android devices, there are literally millions of apps available for download. Even better, the most robust game titles can be supported by the S6's 3GB of RAM, which means you can download with impunity. If you want a smartphone that will compare nicely to the very best in the marketplace, the Galaxy S6 Edge fits your criteria.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Google Nexus 6</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Running the latest version of Android OS, the Google Nexus 6 is a smart, capable, and advanced smartphone. Featuring a 6” quad-HD display, games, apps, and videos look fantastic on the Nexus 6, and the device's dual front-facing speakers mean that gaming doesn't have to be a headphones-only affair. Quite the contrary, the Nexus 6 asks very little of its users. With a quad-core processor and advanced GPU, the Nexus 6 can run even the most advanced and robust titles. Affordable, capable, powerful, stylish... what more do you need?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Google Nexus 9</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If a smartphone doesn't quite fit the bill for you, then the Nexus 9 is the answer. Whereas the Nexus 6 has a 6” screen, the 9 features, you guessed it, a 9” screen (8.9” to be exact, but who's counting?). This larger screen size provides for a significantly more enjoyable and rewarding user experience when watching movies or playing games (after all, why play Call of Duty on a 6” screen when you play on a 9” screen?), yet is still small enough that the device is highly portable and convenient. And the device even comes with a magnetically attached keyboard as an option, which means you can use it for actual computing as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article by: <b>Jessica Oaks</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/GAHy2C3-NJQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/07/some-of-best-devices-for-mobile-gaming.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-2332449867102673802015-07-02T02:49:00.001-07:002015-07-02T02:49:11.660-07:00Undead Darlings Launches on Kickstarter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmvVaQJkJY0/VZUJCdWIsCI/AAAAAAAAWAI/kXsKgEpaJoo/s1600/UndeadDarlings.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have you ever woken up from an alcohol-induced coma just to have your father tell you it’s the end of the world, and that he has the cure for the zombie apocalypse? Me neither. But there is alway the chance you can play a game like that. A new <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mrtired/undead-darlings-no-cure-for-love">Kickstarter</a> has caught our eye from <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mrtired/undead-darlings-no-cure-for-love">Mr. Tired Media: Undead Darlings ~no cure for love~.</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mrtired/undead-darlings-no-cure-for-love">Undead Darlings</a> is a "visual-novel-dungeon-crawler-RPG developed in the West with a Japanese aesthetic,” says their Kickstarter page. The game includes over 20 floors of dungeons to explore, a loot system, and what Mr. Tired Media is calling the “Exponential Exploitation (EE) System; A system that stacks damage based on enemy weaknesses. You can also unlock some great CGs as you play—who doesn’t love some cute anime CGs? The early-bird special is only $25, so snag it while you can. The game has some great looking artwork and is worth checking out of you're a fan of the genre.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">News by: <b>Mike Ackerman</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/G0Fy4TAEJgI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/07/undead-darlings-launches-on-kickstarter.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-2771408448224010422015-06-22T03:33:00.001-07:002015-06-22T03:35:35.358-07:00E3 Microsoft Unveil Minecraft for HoloLens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Atn6nN7tgdw/VYfkY14OlcI/AAAAAAAAV_w/3BsOUnTrk30/s1600/MineCraftHoloLens.png" /></div><br />Since its inception in 2009, Minecraft has been delighting gamers with its engaging brand of sandbox freedom across PC, console and mobile platforms. The now iconic game, in which players construct and explore their own virtual 3D reality, has come a long way since then, granting even greater levels of freedom and creativity. Crucially, Minecraft has evolved to allow players to interact and play together within a single virtual world. Through player-hosted servers using providers such as <a href="http://www.1and1.com/dedicated-server">1&amp;1</a>, Minecraft enthusiasts can band together to create, explore, and even cooperate to survive in the wilderness.</div></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">But can you imagine how utterly amazing it would be to transform your living room into this immersive world? At E3 recently, Microsoft unveiled how their <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-hololens/en-us">HoloLens</a> can make this dream a reality, well, a <i>virtual</i> reality. For those of you who haven’t already heard, the HoloLens is essentially a stand-alone computer in the form of a headset, allowing high definition holograms to integrate seamlessly with your surroundings. Having only been announced in January, the jury’s out on whether it will become a complete success or feature on a list <a href="http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/blasted-into-past-technology-that.html">like this</a> in the future, but it’s certainly a thrilling prospect.</div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="541" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/19W-KD2XzFE" width="980"></iframe> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Combining this augmented reality technology with a tailor-made version of Minecraft yields pretty staggering results. Not only can you immerse yourself visually in your fantasy land, thanks to the gorgeous holographic visuals, but the HoloLens also allows you to interact with the game using verbal and physical commands. Your surroundings are entirely yours to manipulate – one minute you can be playing in 2D on a holographic screen on your wall and the next, by simply uttering "place world”, as you watch your Minecraft world sprawl across your table, shelves, floor, or wherever you like!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then, you can have a good look around by tugging the world around with your fingertips, as if you were a god surveying your kingdom. Practically anything is possible - zoom in, zoom out, bird’s eye view, 360 degrees, and even lifting the entire world up to see what’s lurking beneath. What’s more, the potential control also extends to interacting with the virtual world rather than merely changing your perspective on it. Create sign posts, dictate the text they display and even keeping in the god-like spirit, cast lightning bolts purely by looking at your target and uttering the command.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for when we can actually expect to use the HoloLens, Microsoft have remained characteristically tight-lipped. It would be a reasonable guess to suppose that it will arrive around the time of the final version of Windows 10, due for release late this year. However, only time will tell when this remarkable bit of tech will be available to Minecraft buffs, eager to experience the latest development of this beloved sandbox game.</div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/l_LAvI2-fs8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/e3-microsoft-unveil-minecraft-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-73495685839503847522015-06-20T05:48:00.002-07:002015-06-20T05:48:29.098-07:00Game Accessories Have Evolved ... And These Are Awesome!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_QF82PhBz2U/VYVhECB1elI/AAAAAAAAV_U/6chrwCpSxq0/s1600/Bartendo.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Drink back your childhood.” That’s the slogan for a new project on <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inkwhiskey/bartendo-line-from-ink-whiskey">Kickstarter: Bartendo Line</a> by Ink Whiskey. Back in 2013, Ink Whiskey brought the world the first flask that looked like an NES game cartridge. Now they are seeking funding for a whole slew of new NES, alcohol-drinking paraphernalia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inkwhiskey/bartendo-line-from-ink-whiskey">Bartendo</a> has made ice cube trays that resemble the Triforce, green shot glasses that look like pipes from Mario, a bottle opener that looks a whole lot like the NES Zapper and “The Kega Man Double Pint,” that might as well be called “Mega Man’s Buster.” Of course, it could just be me. So if you’re reading this Nintendo, the similarities might just be my brain thinking back to some of my fondest childhood memories, and not some possible IP infringement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">News by: <b>Mike Ackerman</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/yXSUfVGdDGA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/game-accessories-have-evolved-and-these.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-70418277933700000572015-06-19T10:23:00.003-07:002015-06-19T10:23:50.637-07:00Payday 2: Crimewave Edition Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7OjGNZ35N8/VYRPdHPQwOI/AAAAAAAAV-g/BC6d5NCrvWs/s1600/Payday2crimewaveEditionReview.jpg" /></div><br />People play video games for different reasons. Some play as means of socializing with their friends, some to relieve their frustrations on complete strangers, while others seek unaccompanied escapism. With the entire industry shoving multiplayer and social aspects down our throats, I sometimes feel like I belong to a dying breed of gamers…those who still play games to step away from constantly being connected. Looking at all the trailers for next generation titles, the single-player experience seems nearly extinct. There are fewer and fewer games like Skyrim, The Witcher 3 and The Last of Us, and virtually every release these days carries frighteningly similar multiplayer modes with very few variations to the formula. A few exceptions aside, the differences between most multiplayer ventures are indistinguishable.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fundamentally, I have nothing against multiplayer, but it seems that every competitive match I’ve played in the last decade has resulted in some enraged teen throwing a tantrum fit and ruining everyone’s fun. So why am I bringing this up? Well, because Payday 2 happens to be one of those rare exceptions where the developers decided to alter the playing field. It's a wonderful rarity that encourages (well, more like forces) cooperative teamwork, and despite its abysmal technical shortcomings, it’s one of the finest multiplayer titles I’ve played in years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is my first outing with the Payday franchise. Having spent only five minutes with the original Payday, I can’t say I went into the remastered sequel knowing what to expect. The premise is simple. Four players team up to descend on a crime spree by picking from 30+ available heists spread across the Washington DC map (more if you count the added DLC). Whether you’re robbing a bank, a jewelry store, destroying valuables in a mall or breaking into a nightclub, the mission diversity is impressive and serves as the perfect playground for players to learn the true meaning of teamwork.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Sl9rh15N20/VYRPhhiOhrI/AAAAAAAAV-o/mAKOUj1i2yk/s1600/Payday2crimewaveEditionReview2.jpg" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Whether you’re robbing a bank, a jewelry store, destroying valuables in a mall or breaking into a nightclub, the mission diversity is impressive and serves as the perfect playground for players to learn the true meaning of teamwork."</span></b></i></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can’t win in Payday 2 unless you are a team player. If you plan on trolling, Payday 2 is your worst nightmare. The entire experience is designed around covering your team’s back and strategizing heists cooperatively. When your teammates are down, you have seconds to reach them before they’re arrested. Add to that the nonstop resetting safe drills, and you find yourself constantly running back and forth between rescuing your buddies and securing loot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Heists can be tackled either stealthily or with guns blazing. Since you begin with very basic skills and no additional weapon mods, your early heists are more likely to turn into war zones. This creates a surprisingly realistic sense of progression as you grow into a more skilled robber and acquire enough experience to complete missions without ever alerting the police. It may seem impossible at first…and it’s certainly tough as hell, but the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled. As you gain skill points, you can invest in any of the four available professions: Technician, Enforcer, and Ghost. Each offers deep customization trees with interchangeable skill points allowing you to shape a character that’s precisely suited for your playing style.<br /><br />To get the most out of Payday 2: Crimewave Edition, it’s best to play with people you know. Being able to play with four diversely skilled robbers versus matching up with random players online makes a big difference when planning your heists. Playing with a headphone set and a crew of close friends makes heists feel realistic and immersive, whereas playing with strangers that don’t like communicating can lead to some very unpleasant scenarios. In a way, your experience is only be as good as your co-op partners, and that’s ultimately Payday’s both strength and weakness.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ0VtD7cwUo/VYRPpk2HHxI/AAAAAAAAV-w/JuElRofIw2k/s1600/Payday2crimewaveEditionReview3.jpg" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Why is Payday 2: Crimewave Edition running at 30 fps? This isn’t a demanding game, and the low frame rate makes the already sloppy visuals look even worse."</span></b></i></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Payday 2 requires a ton of commitment to succeed. Weapon upgrades are absurdly expensive and you might find yourself playing for hours just to purchase a silencer or a larger clip. Additionally, if you remove any of the mods and decide to re-add them later on, you have to pay the full price again. This is incredibly frustrating and detrimental to the overall experience.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But strange design choices aside, it’s the technical shortcomings that cause the most problems. Aside from the extremely outdated graphics and horrendous framerate judder, there are numerous glitches constantly interrupting the immersion. Clipping issues…audio bugs…every gameplay session introduces some unexpectedly nasty surprises. On more than one occasion, cops were getting stuck inside walls, deeming them invincible and forcing a mission restart. Other times the audio would go bonkers with the characters’ voices sounding like there were echoing inside a tunnel. It may be something the developers can fix with a future patch, but the current state of the game is a little too rough around the edges. Why is Payday 2: Crimewave Edition running at 30 fps? This isn’t a demanding game, and the low frame rate makes the already sloppy visuals look even worse.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bx68ggEYZTs/VYRP70tRjVI/AAAAAAAAV-4/n-A1iMYCFHA/s1600/Payday2crimewaveEditionReview4.jpg" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Payday 2 is currently available on Steam’s summer sale for only $4.99, so the $40 price tag on consoles isn’t a particularly appealing deal."</span></b></i></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite the bumpy production values, Payday 2: Crimewave Edition is one of the most thrilling multiplayer games I’ve played in a long time, and this is coming from someone who typically likes to game solo. The emphasis on cooperative gameplay is a nice change of pace and there’s plenty of content here to keep you playing for a really long time. Payday 2 is currently available on Steam’s summer sale for only $4.99, so the $40 price tag on consoles isn’t a particularly appealing deal. However, if you don’t own a gaming rig and are looking for some frantic, cooperative multiplayer action, Payday 2: Crimewave Edition is a worthy investment.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Review by: <b>Tin Salamunic </b>| Reviewed on: <b>Playstation 4</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="final-score">7</div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/C0F72wB9ZKE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/payday-2-crimewave-edition-review.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-46745693295660313672015-06-19T04:54:00.000-07:002015-06-19T04:54:01.551-07:00The Definitive Mobile Gaming Checklist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-grgMBJ9x294/VYQCp2UlraI/AAAAAAAAV-A/RunGyh1WAHk/s1600/DefinitiveMobileChecklist.png" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Phones have come a long way and so have the games we play on them. Mobile gaming was actually something of a joke for many years because while console tech rocketed forward mobile games still looked ridiculously retro. Now between today's higher-end graphics, better-quality audio, boosted speed and enhanced touch screen responsiveness, phones are becoming many players' go-to gaming devices. There's still room for improvement in the mobile space, but the gap between phone and console is closing and mobile gaming is set to become a <a href="http://www.business2community.com/mobile-apps/2015-marketing-landscape-mobile-gaming-01141666">$40 billion industry by 2017</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Which is exciting – expect to see more titles from developers both big and small for players of all stripes – but doesn't negate the aforementioned room for improvement. There are plenty of gamers for whom phones and tablets aren't their first choice for gaming. Tiny characters, touch screen blunders, fast-draining batteries and tinny sound are usually to blame, but the good news is these obstacles aren't insurmountable. With a few choice accessories the emphasis of the mobile gaming experience is less about mobility and more about games. Here's a list of must-haves:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">An Amazing Device</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Start at the beginning and don't skimp. So many of today's new titles were designed to look and play their best on devices with a dual- or quad-core processor, high def displays and stereo speakers. Multiple cores mean visuals, speed and sound will all be there, whatever game it is you're firing up. Even better, <a href="https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon/processors">choosing a solid device with a dual- or quad-core processor</a> may let you “future proof” your phone or tablet so you can play the games of tomorrow without upgrading.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">An External Controller</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The touch screens on the market today are more responsive than ever but serious gamers know that nothing beats the feel of analog. The <a href="http://store.mogaanywhere.com/Products/CPFA000253-01">MOGA Pocket Controller</a> is finger-friendly, budget-friendly at just $30 and backpack-friendly (i.e., durable), too. The controller, which feels like the standard Xbox One model, comes with a case and access to a library of games including titles like GTA and Call of Duty. Alternatively, try Logitech's <a href="http://gaming.logitech.com/en-roeu/product/powershell-controller-and-battery">PowerShell for iPhone</a>, which packs console-style controls and a 1500 mAh battery into a very slim package.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40oktPVrJ7c/VYQCuok2jKI/AAAAAAAAV-I/0muEkkkJNLw/s1600/definitivemobilechecklist03.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">A Sound Solution</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At home you can hear the action through whatever wireless sound system you have set up but outside tinny phone speakers can take all the excitement out of your favorite games. For extreme portability, you can't beat <a href="https://jawbone.com/speakers/minijambox">Jawbone's Mini Jambox</a>. &nbsp;It is tiny (but not tinny) at 6″ x 1″ by 2.3″ and 9 ounces and has been rated as the best micro wireless speaker by CNET.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Extra Life</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Battery life, that is. Even the best phone and tablet batteries have their limits. A serious gaming session requires serious power, making backup batteries an essential accessory. The EViO EUP 13,000mAh power bank takes time to charge up but won't run down when you're running through longer titles. Need something extra portable? The EC Technology Power Bank packs 22,400mAh into a seriously slim package so you can play longer on the go.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibnsTqPemYI/VYQCziV03PI/AAAAAAAAV-Q/UCcM4Ivt-vI/s1600/definitivemobilechecklist02.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quirky Add-Ons</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Gaming is serious business but that doesn't mean you can't have a fun while you're at it. The <a href="http://www.impulsecontroller.com/">Impulse Controller</a> is the world's smallest wireless controller – picture a classic Nintendo rectangle in miniature. Game with it, use it as a remote, take at-a-distance selfies without one of those lame sticks or just find your keys. Then there's the <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e75a/">Joystick-IT Arcade Stick</a>, which is a slightly retro solution to touch screen finger fatigue. Slap these joysticks right onto your screen to enjoy that old school arcade experience.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Gaming and gamer are quickly coming to mean something very different than they once did thanks to changing demographics and evolving technology but hardcore gamers are still out there looking for the best experiences. Externals like these can help make mobile a little more like consoles and a lot more satisfying.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article by: <b>Jessica Oaks</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/V9aRoJOKkVk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/the-definitive-mobile-gaming-checklist.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-90678055044903988912015-06-18T06:53:00.000-07:002015-06-18T06:53:10.152-07:00Is Project Cars the New Racing King?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEeaLVEx5qo/VYLNGGJsAcI/AAAAAAAAV9c/gsjK3bJx0OY/s1600/ProjectCarsOpinion3.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Founded as an independent British developer in early 2009, Slightly Mad Studios quickly gained critical acclaim as one of the top 100 most successful developers in 2010. Taking over the Need for Speed series with their Shift entry, Slightly Mad Studios flawlessly combined the franchise’s legendary arcade gameplay with a healthy dose of simulation. Many gamers compared Shift to survival horror due to its realistic first person cam and dynamic driving physics. To this day, Shift remains one of my favorite racing series, so when I found out that Shift 3 wasn’t being considered for development, I was more than disappointed. That is until I played <a href="http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/racing/project-cars/">Project Cars</a>. Project Cars may be called a new IP (mainly for marketing purposes), but in reality, it’s the unofficial sequel to the brilliant and underappreciated Shift 2.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, what makes <a href="http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/racing/project-cars/">Project Cars</a> so special? What makes it better than the Forzas and Gran Turismos? What makes it the new racing king? It really comes down to one thing, and one thing only: the driving. <a href="http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/racing/project-cars/">Project Cars</a>’ physics are unparalleled. As someone who's played every imaginable racer out there, Project Cars is the first title in years that truly “feels” different from the competition.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vjhAXWTZCBg/VYLNKXP5TmI/AAAAAAAAV9k/u5x_OvCzZ9I/s1600/ProjectCarsOpinion4.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last week, I turned on Forza 5, Gran Turismo 6 and Project Cars simultaneously. I was jumping back and forth on the same course between the three games, comparing how different vehicles handle cornering, acceleration and overall handling. While both Forza 5 and Gran Turismo 6 control beautifully, there are very few vehicles that require drastically different driving strategies. I’m not just talking about the difference in handling, but the overall sensation of weight and traction between tires and various settings. Sure, both GT6 and Forza 5 manage to make the transition between a Mclaren and a BMW i3 feel substantial enough, but only Project Cars makes me appreciate the minute details. Slightly Mad Studios has done wonders in making each vehicle a completely unique experience.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This attention to detail comes with a caveat. Project Cars isn’t for casual gamers. Heck, it may not even be for every racing fan. I’ve talked to fellow genre fans, and some of them are struggling to keep the cars on the track. Depending on your skill level, the learning curve can be brutal. <a href="http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/racing/project-cars/">Project Cars</a> requires concentration and skill. It requires patience and a real passion for cars. If you’re not willing to re-learn driving each time you step into a new vehicle, you will most likely walk away from <a href="http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/racing/project-cars/">Project Cars</a> disappointed. But for hardcore fans like myself, this is precisely what makes Project Cars so special. It reflects the developers’ respect for their audience. There’s no dumbing down of features, no rewind functions and pointless assists.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLEsjx7qW08/VYLNOdaY_VI/AAAAAAAAV9s/c6lpS5eE6TM/s1600/ProjectCarsOpinion.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sure, you can toggle the racing line on or off, but it doesn’t take away from the experience. There are plenty of casual racers out there, but the hardcore audience has been left in the dust. Asseto Corsa and Codemasters’ latest DiRT Rally are finally taking the genre more seriously, but Project Cars is the first multi platform AAA release in years that’s finally shifting away from the “mainstream” approach to game making. Have you guys played <a href="http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/racing/project-cars/">Project Cars</a> yet? What are your thoughts? Are you as excited about Slightly Mad Studios’ latest racer as I am, or do you still prefer titles like Forza or Gran Turismo. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Note: A retail copy of Project Cars was provided by the kind folks at <a href="http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/racing/project-cars/">Green Man Gaming</a>.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article by: <b>Tin Salamunic</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/us/en/pc/games/racing/project-cars/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FcEaM3d7pQE/VYLL9CpvbKI/AAAAAAAAV9Q/hO71fA2LLIM/s1600/unnamed.png" /></a></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/vHLUlnjA5bI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/is-project-cars-new-racing-king.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-37939143719610607782015-06-16T06:22:00.001-07:002015-06-16T13:28:28.824-07:00Rush of Heroes Launches on Google Play<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XL3umJJOUUY/VYAjC0iYq5I/AAAAAAAAV80/REgIyJlmy-Y/s1600/RushofHeroes.png" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.fireflygames.com/">Firefly Games</a> has just brought <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fireflygames.rushofheroes">Rush of Heroes</a>, a popular RPG, to the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fireflygames.rushofheroes">Google Play Store</a>. Rush of Heroes has already been downloaded over a staggering 70 millions times by players in China, Korea, and Taiwan. Now, with the help of Firefly Games, it’s available globally! Co-Founder and CEO of Firefly Games, Michael Zhang, said that, “We are thrilled to serve as the Western publishing partner on Rush of Heroes, as we are extremely passionate about it and firmly believe in its ability to leave a lasting mark with RPG fans.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the ability to summon and upgrade a team of heroes, Rush of Heroes is a mobile RPG that can stand its own. Built on the Unity 3D Engine, Rush of Heroes allows players to engage in PVP and conquer dungeons in a world with a 24-hour day and night cycle. The game is a free-to-play, so it’s definitely worth downloading and trying it out for yourself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">News by: <b>Mike Ackerman&nbsp;</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/-e7znrmaJyE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/rush-of-heroes-launches-on-google-play.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-49152617555428836572015-06-15T04:53:00.003-07:002015-06-15T04:53:40.515-07:00Hatred Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VFU-j311zA/VX68Q0ws_xI/AAAAAAAAV8E/ZJxjmid_VjQ/s1600/HatredReview.png" /></div><br />In October of last year a trailer was released that shocked gamers and media alike. It was for, what looked like, an absurdly violent twin-stick shooter made by a small polish developer aptly known as <a href="http://www.destructivecreations.pl/">Destructive Creations</a>. Its controversy was linked to the game’s core concept: massacre as many civilians as possible. With media attention focused more and more on real acts of terrorism and mass shootings, the game’s presentation of such wanton violence struck a cord. The game’s title, appropriately named <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/341940/">Hatred</a>, is only the second game in the history of the ESRB to receive an Adults Only (AO), which in my opinion is based more on the game’s controversy and not necessarily its content. <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/341940/">Hatred</a>’s shock-value propelled its popularity to the frontlines of game’s media coverage with sites much larger than us, presenting a number of differing opinions on the content of the game and how it should be perceived.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After clearing the game’s campaign I can say that aside from Hatred’s violence there’s not much here that divides it from the rest of its twin-stick peers. It’s a title that left me feeling a bit uneasy when I started it up but after spending some time with it I found myself losing touch with its “shocking” nature and ultimately finding humor in a one-dimensional protagonist that is nothing more than a death metal stereotype, clearly modeled after the front man of Cannibal Corpse, or Nathan Explosion, the fictional vocalist of Dethklok.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0imXL2H1v8/VX68VR1uiSI/AAAAAAAAV8M/WKY835TQMAA/s1600/HatredReview2.png" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"After clearing the game’s campaign I can say that aside from Hatred’s violence there’s not much here that divides it from the rest of its twin-stick peers."</span></b></i></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Those who are familiar with twin-stick shooters and the way they operate will find many of the same rules applying to this title. One stick controls movement, while another controls which direction the player is aiming. You’ll utilize a wide variety of weaponry – flamethrowers, machine guns, assault rifles, pistols, knives, grenades, etc. – to mow down wave after wave of civilians in order to progress. Once you’ve killed enough people in one area law enforcement starts to get involved, beginning with local police forces and increasing in difficulty as armored units begin to arrive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The difficulty spikes very quickly and I found myself having a lot of trouble using brute force to survive anything more than SWAT teams. Once the National Guard begins to get involved you’ll have to use your wits to outsmart them, especially on harder difficulties. Utilizing your environment, using explosives, and learning when to retreat is the key to continuing your purge successfully and I commend <a href="http://www.destructivecreations.pl/">Destructive Creations</a> for implementing this difficulty curve. It puts a pause on the mindless killing and forces players to respond appropriately to as the situation gets more and more out of control.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately the complete and utter lack of a competent checkpoint system makes trial and error more of a chore than I would have liked. Completing bonus objectives while cleansing civilians is the only way that players can earn respawn tokens. Once you’ve run out of respawn tokens you’ll have to start the entire level all over again, which can be incredibly frustrating considering the aforementioned difficulty curve.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhmhlnyJgKc/VX68dhxHGwI/AAAAAAAAV8U/qnWKpl1dQ_k/s1600/HatredReview3.png" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"One of the best points of&nbsp;Hatred&nbsp;is its physics engine; explosions are a work of art in this game. Walls crumble realistically, debris flies everywhere, and buildings and walls will disintegrate with ease causing players to constantly stay moving in order remain under cover."</span></b></i></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Civilians aren’t entirely defenseless either. They’ll wander around picking up weapons left behind by law enforcement, gather in groups, and try their best to bring you down. When they begin to team up with law enforcement this makes them quite formidable, especially when they’re in large numbers. Though this is an interesting feature I would have liked to see them have better overall AI. Civilians are slow to react, and in some cases I found that they would remain standing completely still until I was right on top of them. I would have liked to see them respond a bit more appropriately and grow more frantic as the desperation of their situation grew to its breaking point.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main character has a life bar featured on the bottom of the screen. When a player gets low you’ll be forced to execute an enemy or civilian in order to gain health back. When players complete executions they’ll be “treated” to a brief video that zooms in on the carnage. This is arguably Hatred’s most violent feature, but the mechanic is sound when it comes to combat. The fact that this is the only way to regain health makes it so that whenever players are in the heat of combat they’ll have to constantly be aware of where they’ll need to run to pull of a quick execution safely in order to regain health and jump back into battle. It adds an overall sense of tension to the combat, and forces players to retreat in to a safer area in order to succeed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the best points of <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/341940/">Hatred</a> is its physics engine; explosions are a work of art in this game. Walls crumble realistically, debris flies everywhere, and buildings and walls will disintegrate with ease causing players to constantly stay moving in order remain under cover. Most of the title is captured purely in black and white, but explosions offer highlights of color whenever they erupt placing more emphasis on the kinetic turbulence behind each and every blast. I sincerely hope that this engine is utilized in other titles, because it’s truly awesome watching the environment become reduced to rubble once you’ve had your way with it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-46APmacVVqM/VX68pp-B40I/AAAAAAAAV8c/mERxOdkok2s/s1600/HatredReview4.png" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Instead it ended up being a relatively run-of-the-mill twin-stick shooter coupled with a fantastic physics engine and a forgettable stereotype for a main character."</span></b></i></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Controls were a bit hit-or-miss. I used a keyboard and mouse during my Hatred play-through and neglected to try it with a controller. Running, vaulting, and general environment movement is all mapped to the shift key, but I found that it only worked properly a percentage of the time. There were plenty of instances where I wanted to crash through a window and run to safety only to find that the protagonist would only stop and stare at the windowsill as gunfire rained down upon me. Vaulting over environmental hazards and debris also wasn’t reliable and I usually found that the best way to retreat was to run through hallways and hope I didn’t draw too much gunfire.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hatred’s aiming mechanics reminded me a lot of Hotline Miami 2’s included aiming system. I would find enemies shooting me off-screen quite often and I would have to utilize the aiming system in an effort to pick them off from a distance. Because of Hatred’s inherit isometric view and the fact that a lot of terrain has multiple heights I found it rather hard to pinpoint my gunfire, though when on even ground this mechanic worked perfectly. Hatred’s cover mechanics need work, too. There is no way to snap into and out of cover, and I found myself desperately attempting to crouch to stay out of fire. A proper cover system would have gone a long way towards managing battles and keeping up the pace of combat. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As of right now <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/341940/">Hatred</a> is only a single-player experience, but <a href="http://www.destructivecreations.pl/">Destructive Creations</a> is waiting to see how well the game sells, judging whether or not they’ll be adding in co-op down the road. That’s a tad disappointing considering a horde-like co-op mode would have extended the life of the title immensely and I would have really enjoyed having that included with the title during launch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I doubt that <a href="http://www.destructivecreations.pl/">Destructive Creations</a> set out to create some sort of poignant murder masterpiece, but given its media attention <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/341940/">Hatred</a> had an opportunity to set precedent by dealing with its content in a way that provoked thought or commented on society’s inherit thirst for and fascination with violence. Instead it ended up being a relatively run-of-the-mill twin-stick shooter coupled with a fantastic physics engine and a forgettable stereotype for a main character. If you manage to take the good with the bad and approach <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/341940/">Hatred</a> with a mature mentality that doesn’t immediately condemn it for its dark nature there is some of fun to be had here. It certainly wont set the world on fire, no matter how hard it tries, but it’s an interesting, albeit controversial, approach to the standard twin-stick formula.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Review by: <b>Palmer Sturman</b> | Reviewed on: <b>PC</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="final-score">7</div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/e4xEeUINyUE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/hatred-review.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-43999722238527408332015-06-14T06:47:00.001-07:002015-06-14T06:49:22.643-07:00Rails & Riches Announced<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JD_HtOTMiVQ/VX2F5264NnI/AAAAAAAAV7w/O7MRclWdynk/s1600/RailsandRichesAnnounced.png" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This ones goes out to all of your ferroequinologist out there. Okay, some of you prefer a less flamboyant name: train enthusiasts. Whether you’re a diehard rail-fan or someone who just wants to play a game about trains, developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/combinegames/rails-and-riches">Combine Games</a> has got you covered. There is a new <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/combinegames/rails-and-riches">Kickstarter</a> that is being called the spiritual successor to the much loved Railroad Tycoon franchise: <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/combinegames/rails-and-riches">Rails &amp; Riches</a> (PC). In fact the lead designer on the game, Franz Felsl, worked on Railroad Tycoon 2 and 3.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rails &amp; Riches is aiming to go beyond what Railroad Tycoon was capable of, and Felsl says he always felt like the games were unfinished. Players will have two way of playing; they can either follow a campaign and work through scenarios to conquer The West, or they can play in “Sandbox,” to build to their heart’s content. The best part of <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/combinegames/rails-and-riches">Rails &amp; Riches</a> is the fact that the development team chose to use <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/combinegames/rails-and-riches">Kickstarter</a>, instead of looking for corporate backing. This way they can release the game fans want and not some corporate guy in a suite—unless that describes you and you want to back it, then that’s cool. Players will also be able to contribute their own content to the game, which means there will never be an end to the building.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">News by: <b>Mike Ackerman&nbsp;</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/xnrJbvEFzAs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/rails-riches-announced.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-70173411314325713322015-06-12T05:53:00.001-07:002015-06-12T08:48:34.191-07:00Lego Worlds Early Access Preview<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-187o9792w8U/VXr-QgEd1fI/AAAAAAAAV7U/-3_ZqddPBA4/s1600/LegoWorldsEarlyAccessPreview.png" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lego Worlds is like a childhood dream come true. It’s a game I’ve been waiting for my entire life, and it’s finally here on Steam Early Access. I know, I know, Minecraft has been around for years already, and conceptually, it’s basically virtual Legos on steroids. But honestly, Minecraft has always been a big tease for me. It’s like a Lego game without Legos, and to me personally, that’s always been an issue. There’s something irreplicable about Legos. Maybe I’m blinded by nostalgia, or maybe it’s the franchise’s unparalleled charm. Whatever the reason may be, the release of Lego Worlds is a big deal for me, and I’m thrilled with where the development is headed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lego Worlds isn’t here to replace Minecraft. Even if that’s the developers aim, it’s not going to happen. Minecraft’s user base is gargantuan, and the game’s brilliance lies in its simplicity and usability. Anyone can pick up Minecraft and make something interesting in minutes. The experts, of course, are able to craft entire worlds for gamers to enjoy. Lego Worlds, on the other hand, is mainly geared towards Lego fans. If you don’t like TT Games’ other releases, Lego Worlds isn’t going to change your mind. It uses similar gameplay mechanics, but instead of the linear levels, it tosses players into a vast open sandbox with unlimited potential.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7m5EAZNQWI0/VXrV_qSCHeI/AAAAAAAAV68/iBI1-ci7WPk/s1600/LegoWorldsPreview.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Maybe I’m blinded by nostalgia, or maybe it’s the franchise’s unparalleled charm. Whatever the reason may be, the release of Lego Worlds is a big deal for me, and I’m thrilled with where the development is headed."</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Early Access release of Lego Worlds offers a good chunk of content, but be aware that the game is in its very early stages of development. The current version serves as a great teaser trailer for what’s yet to come, so those expecting a half-finished product might be disappointed. Once you’re tossed into the world, you’re free to do as you please. Collect Lego figurines, ride horses and drive various vehicles, collect resources and build whatever you want. TT Games has done a wonderful job of making players feel like they’re part of a massive Lego universe. Everything is made out of Lego pieces: the sky, water, trees, plants, absolutely everything. It’s quite a shift from the semi-realistic background of TT Games’ typical Lego releases (The Lego Movie Videogame excluded). &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Building in Lego Worlds takes a little practice, and it’s not as intuitive as Minecraft’s building mechanics. Part of the challenge is becoming familiar with all the different parts and shapes, since you’re not just working with rectangular objects. Minecraft, as the name implies, places a large emphasis on mining materials, whereas Lego Worlds almost exclusively focuses on building and collecting. Transportation plays a big role in Lego Worlds, allows gamers to traverse areas using horses, airplanes, cars and pretty much anything you can imagine. When you’re not collecting parts and unlocking new characters and vehicles, Lego Worlds borrows heavily from its more action oriented predecessors. Punching your way through skeletal foes and watching them disintegrate into hundreds of tiny Lego pieces still hasn’t lost its charm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9VOwXgSJugI/VXrWKrXr0MI/AAAAAAAAV7E/faHggkuwamI/s1600/LegoWorldsPreview2.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Lego Worlds is in its very early stages, and unless you are a die hard franchise fan, you may want to hold off until more features are added. As it stands, the game in its current stage is a small taste of what is yet to come."</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lego Worlds is a beautiful game. If you have the skills and patience, you can build remarkable worlds similar to the Lego Movie. Despite being entirely constructed of Lego bricks, the game’s visuals are surprisingly rich and diverse. You literally feel like you’ve been sucked into a world of Legos, and for the kid in me, it couldn’t be a more remarkable experience. Performance wise, the game does have a lot of issues. Our rig boasts a 780, an i7 4770 and 32GB or RAM, yet I could only get a solid 60fps by running the game on medium settings. Even then, the frame rate fluctuates when too many things fly across the screen, but luckily, it’s far from being unplayable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lego Worlds is in its very early stages, and unless you are a die hard franchise fan, you may want to hold off until more features are added. As it stands, the game in its current stage is a small taste of what is yet to come. It’s a delicious slice, but it’s only a slice nevertheless. Lego Worlds has a ton of potential, and the game’s success will purely depend on how much the developer is willing to diversify their established formula. The Minecraft comparisons are unavoidable, but TT Games has the advantage of working with an undeniably charming franchise that has promise of being more than a mere Minecraft replica. So far things are looking pretty good, and if nothing else, Lego Worlds is perfect for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on the real-life toys. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Preview by: <b>Tin Salamunic</b> | Previewed on: <b>PC</b>&nbsp;</div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/zfYl3FsyM4o" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/lego-worlds-early-access-preview.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-37210303786964696832015-06-10T04:17:00.005-07:002015-06-10T04:20:41.064-07:00Rise of Incarnates Release Date Announced<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTC4wfbrWRM/VXgcoZErsbI/AAAAAAAAV6Y/PVahaRTa6t8/s1600/RiseofIncarnates.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ready for another free-to-play? On July 1, BANDAI NAMCOM Entertainment America is bringing us Rise of Incarnates, a 2v2 arena PC game on Steam. The characters that you can pick from come from the lore of different global regions. For instance, you can play as Loki! No, not the one from the Marvel comics. This Loki is a fat middle-aged pimp in a yellow, alligator-leather jacket. Not what you were expecting? Well, he can turn into a molten rock and lava monster! Okay, so maybe nowhere near what you were thinking when you read Loki.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The is at least worth checking out! You can play characters like Ares and Odin on launch. They will be releasing Zeus as a playable character as well as a new map: Washington D.C. The game is a bit out there, but it is free-to-play. They will be live streaming the launch on <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/riseofincarnates">Twitch TV</a> at 2:00 PM PST, so head over to their website and check out <a href="http://www.riseofincarnates.com/">Rise of Incarnates</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">News by: <b>Mike Ackerman</b>&nbsp;</div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/vCf3USh0vFA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/rise-of-incarnates-announces-release.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-40257248040574353682015-06-10T03:44:00.001-07:002015-06-10T04:04:03.952-07:00We're Giving Away 6 Games for Free<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cg5kBSERZgM/VXgUxZlzuWI/AAAAAAAAV6I/OmIaKBhFFYA/s1600/bundlestarsgiveaway.png" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Welcome back! It's another week, and another opportunity to snatch free games. Today we are giving away not one, not two, but <b>SIX FREE games</b> from the kind folks at <a href="http://www.bundlestars.com/">Bundle Stars</a>. The <a href="http://www.bundlestars.com/all-bundles/reboot-bundle-4/">games include</a>: <i>Tropico Trilogy, Hard Reset Extended Edition, Combat Wings: Battle of Britain, Inquisitor Deluxe Edition, Zeno Clash 2</i> and <i>The First Templar</i>. <u>All games are redeemable on Steam.</u> So if you count all three games in the Tropico bundle, it actually comes out to eight full games. The bundle is wort a whopping <b>$90</b>, but it can be yours for FREE if you <b>give us a funny caption for the screenshot below</b>. As always, wit and creativity are key. Go crazy, and don't hold back. The contest <b>ends on Monday June, 15 2015</b>. We'll be sending out the code via email, so make sure your email is attached to your account when commenting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcR-4518Ctg/VXgUtHY_ddI/AAAAAAAAV6A/FS-_wvFW-ko/s1600/ZenoClashIIGiveaway.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Give us your best caption for the screenshot above for a chance to win 6 FREE PC classics."</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Each week, <a href="http://www.bundlestars.com/">Bundle Stars</a> offers absurdly cheap deals for old and new PC classics. This week they are celebrating their <a href="http://www.bundlestars.com/">Triple The Fun Week</a> where you can save up to 93% off on daily bundles. These super cheap bundles are only available for another 72 hours, so make sure to check back regularly to find a bundle that's right for you. In the meantime, check out some of their other remarkable offerings, like the action packed <a href="http://www.bundlestars.com/all-bundles/run-and-gun-bundle/">RUN &amp; GUN BUNDLE</a> or the horror-flavored <a href="http://www.bundlestars.com/all-bundles/nightmares-bundle/">NIGHTMARES BUNDLE</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To celebrate their best selling All Stars Bundle, which has sold over 50.000 units, <a href="http://www.bundlestars.com/all-bundles/">Bundle Stars</a> are introducing their newest <a href="http://www.bundlestars.com/all-bundles/all-stars-2-bundle/">ALL STARS BUNDLE 2</a>. This collection includes 8 classic Steam games for only <b>$1.99</b>: <i>Alien Rage: Unlimited, Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars, Mount &amp; Blade, Pool Nation, Spy Chameleon-RGB Agent, Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, A Bird Story</i> and <i>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl</i>. But hurry, the 96% savings only last for the first 24 hours. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article by: <b>Tin Salamunic</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/PPWwY_zZIX4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/were-giving-away-6-game-for-free.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-78179055728694940782015-06-09T04:02:00.000-07:002015-06-09T04:02:02.827-07:00Bundle Stars’ Triple The Fun Week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KshbAfpaJcw/VXbHoLEy16I/AAAAAAAAV5o/YJlVcCFt6V8/s1600/BundleStarsTripleFunWeek.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What’s better than video games? Saving a ton of cash on video games! And we don’t mean just a few bucks, we’re talking up to 93% off! Now you’re probably thinking, how can I take advantage this magnificent offer? You can head over to <a href="http://www.bundlestars.com/">Bundle Stars</a> to find out more. This week is Bundle Stars’ Triple The Fun Week!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Each day this week, Bundle Stars will reveal a new bundle with three super cheap titles. But you need to hurry, because these bundles are only here for 72 hours. After that, they’re gone for good. You can expect games like LEGO Marvel Super Heroes with DLC ($5.99) and the Sid Meier’s Classic Triple Pack ($2.49). It’s worth the time to check out the site alone. If you don’t see something for yourself, buy something for a friend. They’ll think you cared enough to spend full price and you can go on feeling awesome.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">News by: <b>Mike Ackerman</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/6EwT3WBATRc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/bundle-stars-triple-fun-week.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-77758020440704374252015-06-08T08:26:00.002-07:002015-06-08T08:36:14.813-07:00Mega Man Legacy Collection Announced<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAGq8VYbslE/VXW0HPjJayI/AAAAAAAAV5U/5tpTljvsKUs/s1600/MegaManLegacyCollection.png" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This may be one of the most exciting news in weeks. Capcom has officially announced the Mega Man Legacy Collection, which will include faithful reproductions of the original six titles, as well as a new Challenge Mode and a Museum collection filled with various artworks from each entry. As far as remasters go, this may be one of the most exciting packages since the MGS collection. The collection will be available <b>this summer</b> for <b>Playstation 4</b>, <b>Xbox One</b>, <b>PC</b>, and even&nbsp;<b>Nintendo 3DS</b>&nbsp;later this winter. It's a little odd that there's no mention of a Wii U version.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Furthermore, Capcom has confirmed they'll be providing more details on the upcoming <b>Street Fighter V</b> on <b>June 15th</b>. SFV is powered by Unreal Engine 4, so you can (hopefully) expect a dramatic increase in visual fidelity. Are you guys as excited about the Mega Man collection as we are? The only downside is that the collection will be a <b>digital release only</b>. This is pretty sad news for video game collectors like myself, so hopefully there will be a physical release at a later date, similarly to the recent Resident Evil Revelations 2.</div><br />News by: <b>Tin Salamunic</b></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/HwNgj6bFACY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/capcom-announces-mega-man-legacy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-18428062559204352752015-06-06T14:02:00.001-07:002015-06-06T14:07:20.771-07:00The Witcher 3 - 1.04 Patch FPS Boost<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RPehL4A-z-Y/VXNfgdjSLoI/AAAAAAAAV44/uofaiIZNUaA/s1600/Witcher3PerformanceBoost.png" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The latest <a href="http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/05/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-review.html">Witcher 3</a>&nbsp;console patch (1.04 on Playstation 4) has been out for about two days now, and the performance boost is rather impressive. Camera movement is smoother, making navigation in interiors notably better (although far from perfect). Frame rate during combat is particularly impressive. I actually found myself increasing the difficulty because of the improved control responsiveness. Even Novigrad during the heaviest thunderstorm runs at a relatively solid 30 fps. There are still minor dips here and there, which are to be expected, but the difference between the latest patch and the previous versions is night and day. <a href="http://en.cdprojektred.com/">CD Project Red</a> has done a superb job in addressing player complaints. The Witcher 3 has already earned incredibly high scores across the web (<a href="http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/05/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-review.html">we gave it a solid 10</a>), but it's even more beautiful and immersive after the patch. What do you guys think? Has the patch fixed most of your issues and concerns with the game? Let us know in the comments section below!</div><br />News by: <b>Tin Salamunic &nbsp;</b></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/Sfa9tFymLFc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/the-witcher-3-104-patch-performance.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-34683371227950271812015-06-06T06:15:00.003-07:002015-06-06T06:15:53.050-07:00The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fge6gp05NP0/VXLyLuFtwVI/AAAAAAAAV4U/xGgzfO5IrC4/s1600/VanHelsing3Review2.jpg" /></div><br />On paper, <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/359900/">The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III</a> sounds like a fun little low-budget alternative to games like Diablo, Torchlight or Dungeon Siege. Conceptually, the gameplay is similar, the quest structure is similar, the leveling system is similar, pretty much everything in Van Helsing III borrows from other franchises in one way or another. In practice, however, Van Helsing III doesn’t do any of the individual elements well. “Functional” just about sums up my entire experience with the title. I’ve never played the first two entries in the series, and while many Steam user reviews praise the original, I have little desire to experience the entire story after finishing Van Helsing III.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III isn’t a bad game by any means, it’s just painfully uninspired. The developers have done nothing to differentiate themselves from the series they were inspired by. Instead, they’ve played it safe through and through. Van Helsing III can be enjoyable in small burst, but this isn’t the type of genre you want to play in small sessions. I struggled to play for more than a few missions at a time. Boredom kicks in before you can even warm up to the action. It may be just bad timing. Van Helsing is arriving a little too late. There are countless similarly themed games out there that are infinitely better and only cost a fraction of the asking price. Maybe the genre is in serious need of an overhaul, or maybe we should be just happy that titles like Pillars of Eternity exist so no one has to waste their time with this mediocrity. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u4E_U36OT2Q/VXLyPr0B8lI/AAAAAAAAV4c/mCwURVKa9eE/s1600/VanHelsing3Review3.jpg" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"In practice, however, Van Helsing III doesn’t do any of the individual elements well. Functional just about sums up my entire experience with the title."</span></b></i></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While previous Van Helsing entries were received relatively well, I still can’t imagine the narrative being any better. Between the laughable voice acting and lack of plot coherence, it’s impossible to pay attention and care for anything that goes on in Van Helsing’s shallow world. The voice acting is truly atrocious. It’s not awful enough to be “so bad that it’s good,” it’s just plain bad, period. I played through the game using the Warrior class, and while I tested each available class afterwards to compare gameplay styles, I found the controls incredibly dull. Everything is functional and the game is playable with both mouse and gamepad, but there’s no weight behind any of the attacks. The action is rudimentary and boring.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Upgrading your character doesn’t make things better either. Special attacks feel clunky, and there’s always a micro pause between switching commands. As a result, you end up spamming the same basic attack over and over. When playing solo, you’re accompanied by an AI who only makes things more frustrating. Like a flying wet rag, your companion just gets in the way and does very little to assist you during heated battles. Playing with friends makes the fighting more tolerable, but to be honest, it only made me want to player other titles in the genre instead. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S_n-4HH912E/VXLybGLadRI/AAAAAAAAV4k/8ntDDK9rUR4/s1600/VanHelsing3Review5.jpg" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"The entire game feels like a bad case of deja vu, and unless you’ve exhausted all other options, there is no reason to pick this up."</span></b></i></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Van Helsing’s mediocrity extends to the overall presentation and performance. Even though I haven’t played the predecessors, I could spot reused assets just by comparing screenshots. The performance isn’t too stable either. After launching the game, it can take up to a minute for the main menu screen to show up. Our rig (GTX 780, i7 4770, 32GB of RAM) struggled to keep a steady 60fps when maxed out at 1440p. This is embarrassing considering the barren visuals. Turning some of the HDR settings helps, but it completely removes special effects like fogs and atmospheric lighting. Hopefully this will get patched in the future, but then again I wouldn’t recommend the title even if it ran smoothly.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All in all, <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/359900/">The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III</a> offers nothing new or different from other, and better, entries in the genre. The entire game feels like a bad case of deja vu, and unless you’ve exhausted all other options, there is no reason to pick this up. If you’re really curious about the series, and you’re a huge fan of the lore, then you’re better off tackling the predecessors. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Review by: <b>Tin Salamunic</b> | Reviewed on: <b>PC &nbsp;</b>&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="final-score">5</div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/VqlhHQxu3f8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/the-incredible-adventures-of-van.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-88812378362353860022015-06-06T05:08:00.001-07:002015-06-06T05:08:30.618-07:00Through the Woods Preview<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GjvAB1GIJVQ/VXLh2Gt_Q7I/AAAAAAAAV30/tUuLKKXLKt4/s1600/ThroughtheWoodsPreview.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve played my fair share of this new wave of “immersive” survival horror games that have made resurgence over the past few years, and for the most part they’ve been similar experiences. Alien: Isolation and Outlast are essentially the same game; the same can be said for Day Z, The Forest, H1Z1 and Rust. These titles all borrow significantly from one another and manage to inspire horror their respective ways, but the genre really feels like it’s starting to lull, especially considering the fact that a lot of these titles have yet to leave early access. Considering the problems I just listed I’m sure you can understand my skepticism when I heard about Antagonist’s latest horror creation, <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1854868411/through-the-woods">Through the Woods</a>, but I found that after spending close to a half-hour slowly exploring everything I came across I must admit I let down my guard and allowed the world absorb me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Players will assume the role of Karen, a woman being questioned by the police regarding her missing son. I took my time really trying to explore every last detail of Through the Woods and though it did initially seem like another generic experience, I soon found myself intrigued by the subtle story progression, and once the tension began to build, I found myself genuinely fearful. The creatures presented in Through the Woods sounded like familiar groaning zombies, but once examined under the beam of a flashlight it was clear they weren’t. Their designs reminded me of something one would see in Dark Souls or Bloodborne – fascinating creatures ripped from Norse mythology with exaggerated features and lumbering stances disguising their menacing intent.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PiyCuFZgGsc/VXLh6RfWWPI/AAAAAAAAV38/W65ll5XEtJA/s1600/ThroughtheWoodsPreview2.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I soon found myself intrigued by the subtle story progression, and once the tension began to build, I found myself genuinely fearful."</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There were interesting details also strewn through the environment. Runes exist for those that dare to explore, and if deciphered they reveal more story for players to enjoy. I enjoyed the trail of reflectors that were left behind for me to follow, and the interesting give-and-take mechanics of using a flashlight to stay on the trail or trying to remain quiet and undetected. I can only hope that the developers continue to build upon this aspect as the game goes on because it could definitely create some serious tension.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FN99Wu9hms4/VXLiOhRMbAI/AAAAAAAAV4E/wxF_gnsrC0E/s1600/ThroughtheWoodsPreview3.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I really look forward to engaging on more adventures in its atmospheric universe. Color me intrigued. If you’re a fan of horror you should be too."</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Textures were rough at points, but the sense of dread and the overall dark atmosphere were captured quite well, so much so that after a while I began to ignore the graphics in favor of the atmosphere. In terms of audio, the voice recordings sounded a bit rough, not in terms of voice acting, but in terms of actual recording quality which was a bit disappointing. The rest of the game’s audio cues were spot-on though, and they added to both the reward and the tension of discovery.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1854868411/through-the-woods">Through the Woods</a> is definitely a game I will continue to keep my eyes on. I enjoyed the few minutes I spent exploring the world and I really look forward to engaging on more adventures in its atmospheric universe. Color me intrigued. If you’re a fan of horror you should be too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Preview by: <b>Palmer Sturman</b> | Previewed on: <b>PC</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/CFKKu1KNOcY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/through-woods-preview.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-594758397374422560.post-58450345073982421502015-06-04T11:46:00.002-07:002015-06-04T11:48:25.284-07:003 Tips for Effective Video Backup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NdgA2gGo8zw/VXCdcU9xxNI/AAAAAAAAV3c/0RBXoyjJVCE/s1600/articletechbackup.png" /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We have all heard horror stories about computer crashes and years of lost files. Your computer is at a lot of risk between physical disasters, such as flood or fires, viruses, hacking, being dropped and outdated hardware and software. And while losing video files that are impossible to recreate is devastating, you can take action to prevent this from happening. Whether you are an amateur or professional videographer, it is important to invest your time, energy and maybe a little money into keeping your video files safe and secure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Labeling and Organization</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A simple measure you can take to protect your files is to <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385613,00.asp">properly label and organize them</a>. Organization of directories, or folders, helps prevent videos from accidentally being deleted or lost. Naming your file with a description and date is one of the most effective methods of organization, but you need to develop a system that makes sense to you so you can easily find what you're looking for.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">External Hard Drive</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A survey conducted by Seagate found that 54 percent of individuals surveyed had lost valuable files from their computer at one point. They also found that only 10 percent of people back up their files on a daily basis and a surprising 25 percent never back up their digital data. Many use thumb drives to transfer data and back up copies of work; however, these drives are so small that they’re easy to lose.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Utilizing a desktop external hard drive for storage and backup is one of the most reliable methods of keeping your video files safe. For example, the <a href="http://www.seagate.com/external-hard-drives/desktop-hard-drives/backup-plus-desk/">Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Drive comes with 2 to 8 terrabytes</a> of space. It features easy-to-use software, a mobile backup app, automatic saving of photos and video from social networks (Facebook, Flickr and YouTube) and an easy sharing platform for files transferred between PCs and Macs. It allows you to schedule the frequency of your backups, such as daily, weekly or continuously.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cloud Storage</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cloud storage is a convenient and efficient system for backing up your valuable data. It ensures that it doesn't get lost, since it is not stored in a physical location, and it is less likely to be completely lost due to a natural disaster or other physical catastrophe.&nbsp;<a href="http://mozy.com/product/mozy/enterprise">Mozy is a good cloud storage option</a> because it supports data storage and management for both Windows and Mac OS X. Mozy’s most notable feature is its “restore manager,” which is a software tool that simplifies the retrieval process from the Mozy cloud. Users can restore the last version of any file that has been automatically backed up or the previous copies that had been backed up within a thirty or ninety day period.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Don’t risk losing your valuable videos, and take the extra measures to store and protect them. As reliable as your laptop or desktop might seem, accidents, hard drive failures, viruses and natural disasters do happen. Create a sound backup plan for your videos, so you can rest assured that your files are protected in a safe place.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article by: <b>Cherie Nelson</b></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/thegamescouts/hbRo/~4/x4HEHWxsvWE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tin Salamunichttps://plus.google.com/108080812454756655655noreply@blogger.com0http://www.thegamescouts.com/2015/06/3-tips-for-effective-video-backup.html